Chapter 1017 - 956: Entering the Great Wilderness
The smooth progress of city-building reaching this point is entirely beyond Star’s imagination. Originally, Star was just annoyed that Skyshattering Thunder had so many people working for him and wanted to take advantage of the situation, but unexpectedly, he directly took over all of Skyshattering Thunder’s projects!
Ultimately, teaming up with a large guild requires strength. Although Skyshattering Thunder is high-end, he doesn’t have strength himself; he’s just inviting trouble, and things are beyond his control. Star is entirely different.
Now Star has nothing to say, he can only accept reality, wahahaha!
However, if there’s any regret, it’s that there was talk of splitting shares but no mention of how to split them. A player’s private city doesn’t have the 50% share ownership limit, making it possible to share profits equally like a guild, which is a bit troublesome. But, being the world’s number one player, fretting over such "small matters" in front of big shots seems petty. It’s better to be straightforward and split equally; otherwise, no one will be motivated. Once I free myself to stabilize the foundation quickly, expanding territory in the future will be simple!
Now, Star’s junxiang’s alt in Divine Domain Space witnesses the mountains of resources and the dragon-like stream of vehicles starting to roll out towards the space exit of Lighthouse Islands. Bloodrose Guild channel and the current regional channel are buzzing with excited discussions.
At the same time, the Bloodrose Guild channel also began issuing reminders, reiterating that today all members must strictly maintain confidentiality, not chit-chat about it with anyone, and absolutely not post about it on forums. Indeed, secrecy is essential. Though there are many people in large guilds, and spies too, keeping things secret is challenging, but the longer the secrecy is maintained, the more beneficial it is.
At this moment, Star deeply feels the sensation of being a big shot, the feeling of moving a crowd with a single word is so incredibly exhilarating! He also profoundly understands the limitations of solo players.
What steps to take next? Star falls into deep thought again. Perhaps there’s no need to overthink; just treat these large guilds as his guild’s subordinates, let them roam freely, and when there’s profit, give a shout to join in. Continue being a laid-back shopkeeper above everyone else.
To be above everyone else, of course, one must continue pursuing high-end, stride towards becoming a god, inspiring awe in everyone. Yes, let’s do it like this.
The upcoming time is completely devoted to Star’s main account receiving reports on resource arrivals, while the alt account idles by.
Meanwhile, the leaders of various large guilds are also, through the vision of transport team members, taking a first glimpse at the full picture of Lighthouse Islands and the legendary dwarf fugitives.
At this moment, a few Star Transport Team members are, under the escort of the fully armed former dwarf prison guards, transporting dozens of vehicles of resources through the undersea passage to the designated location.
Eternal Star certainly knows Skyshattering Thunder is upset, so he takes this opportunity to privately supplement ideological work: "Thunder, you see, these dozen islands have underground maze passages, there are water elements on the surface, you know the strength of the garrison, even if the Prince sends troops, small forces can’t seize them. The Prince can’t meet guests for more than a few minutes due to current circumstances, it’s even impossible for large-scale troop mobilization, let alone if these fugitives pay protection fees to Naga, it will be tough to capture them. Also, have you thought about the most critical issue?"
Skyshattering Thunder blankly asks, "What critical issue?"
Eternal Star sighs, "Star is a Bright Alliance player, Star’s territory is Bright Alliance territory, even the Dwarf Prince cannot invade without permission. Even if there are NPC fugitives in Star’s territory, you must take a mission to gather evidence before catching them, but doing this won’t make anyone happy."
Skyshattering Thunder depressedly says, "I understand the bigger picture is important, please rest assured, president."
Eternal Star laughs, "Actually, the matter isn’t urgent, later when we help you complete the Epic Quest and support the Prince’s ascension, then we’ve expanded our territory and ports around Naga, and no longer rely on Star, the Prince can still come to catch them after becoming the King. If the King is happy, he can accuse Star of harboring fugitives and kick him out of the Alliance. You get your revenge, too. Also, importantly, Star might have busted the prison, but he surely didn’t receive the Epic Quest to support the second prince; your advantage in Dwarf Kingdom is something Star can’t compare, be confident."
Skyshattering Thunder gets invigorated, "Exactly, Star definitely didn’t receive the opposing Epic Quest from the second prince, or why would the second prince be so timid! I can just endure this setback and let everyone make money first!"
Eternal Star laughs, "That’s right. Not liking Star isn’t unique to us! But we can’t act impulsively like Royal Family tycoons, everything must be money-oriented."
Skyshattering Thunder finally relaxes, "You are right, I will work even harder positively!"
...
At 10:30 a.m., the latest progress arrives; the Great Wilderness exit was discovered as expected. At this moment, Bloodrose Studio erupts in cheers. Junxiang receives the guild’s latest instructions to follow the main force into the Great Wilderness.
The scene changes, Junxiang and Ouling, along with dozens of players’ thousands-strong troops, hundreds of convoys, enter a windswept barren wasteland, while in the distance beyond the horizon lies a series of snow-covered mountains. In other words, starting now, Junxiang and Vice Hero Ouling will embark on a long journey in this distant unknown area.
The team doesn’t have time to admire the scenery, and immediately begins organizing troops for perimeter defense, then takes resources from the vehicles to build Defense Towers and walls on site.
It’s worth noting that building illegal structures like Arrow Towers and barracks on unclaimed land isn’t recognized by the system; at most a week’s in-game time will be swept away by the system as trash. But the large guild is rich enough to rebuild continuously if destroyed.
Bloodrose’s objective is very straightforward, to temporarily establish a fortress at the exit and stabilize their footing.
While players are busy constructing works, one or two Flying Eagles begin appearing in the sky, then three or four, then a dozen more. All players realize something is about to happen; guild and regional channels are filled with warnings and encouragements.
Then, ten minutes later, a massive flock of Flying Eagles, like dark clouds, gather in the sky, and faint green smoke begins to swirl!
Ouling wrinkles his nose, "It stinks! This is definitely not just eagles!"
Sure enough, with a sharp scream from the sky, the cloud-like flock of Flying Eagles, mixed with the rising stench, swoop down, revealing themselves not as Flying Eagles, but bird-headed Birdmen!
Birdmen, Harpy, also known as Harpies or Harpy Witches, usually portray ugly female figures half-human and half-eagle from Greek mythology, representing greedy and filthy monsters. In some sense, Birdmen are considered among Sea Demons.
Meanwhile, facing a sky full of densely packed Birdmen, collective command in regional channels shouts for battle readiness, while the local players’ Shooter Corps stand ready to bend their bows and shoot the eagles in preparation.
But instead of directly swooping down, the Birdmen suddenly ascend higher out of bow range, then drop countless green-smoky unidentified muddy bombs from the air!
What the heck! Is this crap? This must be crap! At this moment, Star’s face turns green! Not just Star, every player knows what this is, screaming ensues!
However, compared to the others’ panic, the Bloodrose girls on site call out calmly, "Get ready for heals!"
Star is baffled, are the girls not afraid of crap?
—Splat! Splat!! Countless toxins pour down, covering the field, countless "-5", "poison damage -5", "filthy Attack -1" damage numbers appear, while the girls’ Healing Golden Light floods the army.
But after the Birdmen finish a bombing round, they don’t continue attacking, suddenly scattering away. Meanwhile, the whole force and players are left with an irremovable "filthy dire" stamina-reducing negative effect of unknown duration.
This first battle in the Great Wilderness delivers a heavy blow to the ambitious united team. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) to provide tickets and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users are invited to read on m.qidian.com.)